purchase

[pur-chuhs]

verb (used with object)

purchased, purchasing 

1. to acquire by the payment of money or its equivalent; buy.

   Synonyms: procure, obtain, get
   Antonyms: sell

2. to acquire by effort, sacrifice, flattery, etc.

3. to influence by a bribe.

4. to be sufficient to buy.

   Twenty dollars purchases a subscription.

5. Law.,  to acquire (land or other property) by means other than inheritance.

6. to move, haul, or raise, especially by applying mechanical power.

7. to get a leverage on; apply a lever, pulley, or other aid to.

8. Obsolete.,  to procure, acquire, or obtain.

verb (used without object)

purchased, purchasing 

1. to buy something.

noun

1. acquisition by the payment of money or its equivalent; buying, or a single act of buying.

2. something that is purchased or bought.

3. something purchased, with respect to value in relation to price; buy.

   At three for a dollar they seemed like a good purchase.

4. Law.,  the acquisition of land or other property by means other than inheritance.

5. acquisition by means of effort, labor, etc..

   the purchase of comfort at the price of freedom.

6. a lever, pulley, or other device that provides mechanical advantage or power for moving or raising a heavy object.

   Synonyms: capstan, winch

7. an effective hold or position for applying power in moving or raising a heavy object; leverage.

8. any means of applying or increasing power, influence, etc.

9. the annual return or rent from land.

10. a firm grip or grasp, footing, etc., on something.

11. Obsolete.,  booty.

purchase

/ ˈpɜːtʃɪs /

verb

1. to obtain (goods, etc) by payment

2. to obtain by effort, sacrifice, etc

   to purchase one's freedom

3. to draw, haul, or lift (a load) with the aid of mechanical apparatus

4. to acquire (an estate) other than by inheritance

noun

1. something that is purchased, esp an article bought with money

2. the act of buying

3. acquisition of an estate by any lawful means other than inheritance

4. a rough measure of the mechanical advantage achieved by a lever

5. a firm foothold, grasp, etc, as for climbing or levering something

6. a means of achieving some influence, advantage, etc

Other Word Forms

• purchaser noun
• mispurchase verb (used with object)
• nonpurchase noun
• nonpurchaser noun
• overpurchase verb (used with object)
• prepurchase noun
• prepurchaser noun
• quasi-purchased adjective
• unpurchased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purchase¹

First recorded before 1150; (for the verb) Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-French purchacer “to seek to obtain, procure,” from pur- (from Latin prō pro ¹ ) + chacer “to chase” ( chase ¹ ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purchase¹

C13: from Old French porchacier to strive to obtain, from por- for + chacier to _chase ¹

Synonym Study

See buy.

Example Sentences

Simpler drones could be purchased by anyone, so a priority is to trace them back to the operator.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The painting was purchased by a private collector, whose identity remains undisclosed, and taken to a fine art conservator.

Read more on BBC

Plus, included eyes and mouth stickers give your extravagant purchase a down-to-earth persona.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The common enemy of the people is here: the sharp rise in food prices and the lack of purchasing power.

Read more on BBC

However, the U.K. government blocked the purchase amid concerns about potential indirect foreign government involvement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acquire 
• earn 
• invest 
• pick up 
• procure 
• redeem 
• shop 
• take